Veterinary forceps.



Patented may |5,- |900.

No. 649.6l5.

A|. P. PlcKamNG.

VETERINARY FHCEPS.

(Application led Dec. 2, 1999.)

(No Mudl.)

` 7 y J f s 5 UNTTEE STATES PATENT UEETCE.

ISAAC I. IIOKERING, OF ELWOOD, NEBRASKA.

VETERINARY FORCEPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 649,615, dated May 15, 1900.

Application filed December 2, 1899. Serial No. 739,038. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC P. PICKERING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elwood, in the county of Gosper and State of Nebraska, have invented a neT and useful Forceps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to forceps, particularly that class employed in veterinary obstetrics; and the object in view is to provide a device of this character having a simple and effective construction and operation especially designed for delivering pigs and embodying contractible resilient members adapted to be retained in a normal expanded position by an interposed elastic element located at the point of convergence of the members toward a handle or grip, the members having inturned terminal eyes having inner teeth and operable by a single cord passed therethrough.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a forceps embodying the features of the invention and shown open. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the improved device shown closed.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the views.

The numeral l designates a plurality of yielding normally diverging arms, preferably made of round wire and brought together concentrically, as at 2, at a given point, where they are twisted to form a stiff handle or grip 3, having a rear terminating connecting knob or button 4: to give them a strong and smooth finish. The free extremities of the arms are formed with inturned terminal eyes 5, having teeth 6 running downwardly over the inner portions thereof, and when drawn together present a smooth entrance end. At the point where the arms l converge to produce the handle or grip 8 an elastic space-block or auxiliary spreader 7 is inter-v posed and by its resiliency serves to make the arms have a quicker tendency to resume their normal expanded position when free to do so. The said block or spreader also preserves the shape of the arms and prevents fracture or breakage of the latter. The block has a frusto-quadrangular shape and is inverted or arranged to have its reduced portion toward the handle or grip, the corners being concaved to form seats 7 to receive the portions of the arms bearing against the same.

The arms are contracted by a cord 8, which is fastened in one eye 5 and threaded'loosely through the others and long enough to allow the arms to fully expand without inconveniently shortening the same in the use of the instrument.

In use the handle or grip 3 is grasped in one hand. The cord is then pulled by the other hand, which action reduces the length of cord passing through the eyes of the arms, and therefore contracts or draws together the arm-terminals, as well as the arms themselves, from the positiony shown by Fig. l to that illustrated by Fig. 2. In its contracted condition the instrument can be readily and safely inserted in the vagina of the sow, and as soon as the fetus is reached the cord is released and permits the tension of the arms, as well as the block or spreader, to act, and the arms are expanded. Further insertion is made to receive a conveniently-located part of the fetus between the arms, the inward movement being continued until the arms and cord overreach the said part of the fetus, when the cord is again drawn or pulled to contract the arms and secure a firm hold, and it is then only necessary to pull out the instrument by the handle and cord, as the animal labors, to bring out the fetus.

The teeth on the inner portions of the ter'- minal eyes are not sharp or injurious and assist in obtaining a firm grip on the part of the fetus engaged and prevent slipping. Though rubber is preferred in the construction of the block 7, it will be understood that any analogous material or means may be used for the same purpose.

Having thus described the invention, wha is claimed as new is- A forceps comprising a plurality of yielding arms intertwisted to form a handle and' having their free portions in normal eX- panded condition and provided with inturned terminal eyes, the inner opposing portions of the eyes having l teeth thereon, a yielding block interposed in fixed positionl between In testimony that I claim the foregoing as the arms at the point Where they converge my own I have hereto affixed my signature in into the handle, said block conforming in the presence of two Witnesses.

contour to the space between the arms in ISAAC P. PIOKERING. 5 which it is fitted, and a oord secured to one Witnesses:

of said eyes and loosely threaded through E. SHALLENBERGER,

the other. NV. L. TILDEN. 

